Pastor Bob Paquet
A
Soldier of Christ
2
Timothy 2: 1-7
INTRODUCTION:
1.
My
training as a Marine during boot camp at Paris Island
emphasized the need for a soldier to be physically fit, mentally alert,
focused
and under authority.
It wasn’t long
before I realized who was giving the orders and the consequences to
myself and
others if they were not obeyed.
2.
2
Timothy 2: 1-7 provides the ground rules
for being a soldier for Christ. Like a
soldier in an earthly battle, a soldier in a spiritual battle must be
prepared
and equipped
for battle and understand that casualties are expected,
pain will
be experienced and orders must be followed.
He must, “apprehend what he has been apprehended for!”
PROPOSITION:
A
soldier of Christ is instructed by God’s word concerning his training,
his
mission, what to expect and who his commander-in-chief is.
If God is on our side - we win.
INTERROGATIVE
SENTENCE:
If
we are going to become soldiers in the army of Christ what are some of
the
characteristics we should possess? What kind of training do we need?
What can
we expect?
TRANSITIONAL
SENTENCE:
In
2 Timothy 2: 1-7 Scripture provides four characteristics or attributes
of a
soldier of Christ which provide insight
into the training needed and what can be expected.
The first of these characteristics is stated
as a command from Paul to Timothy in verse 1.
MAIN
DIVISIONS AND
SUBDIVISIONS
I.
A
soldier of Christ needs strength
a.
We must stir up
ourselves (choose) to accept the
grace provided to us by Christ (v.1.)
Paul exhorts Timothy
to find his strength in Christ
b. We must be strong in the grace -
be continually strengthened in the
grace which is freely
given and not look to ourselves or
others for the strength
which will be needed.
TRANSITION:
The
second characteristic or expectation of a soldier of Christ is given in
verse 3
-
II.
A
soldier of Christ needs to be prepared for hardship
a.
Expect hardship,
pain, suffering, casualties -
when these things happen don’t be surprised.
Paul is certainly in a position to provide living testimony to
Timothy
in this area. (v.3.)
b. Note the emphasis on “good
soldier of Jesus Christ”. He is the
commander-in-chief!
TRANSITION:
Knowing
that strength is required (and will be given), and knowing that
hardship must
be expected, we now move on to the objective of a soldier of Christ.
What are our marching orders?
III.
A
soldier of Christ has an objective - a primary goal
a.
What you have
heard from me - entrust to faithful
men to pass on to others.
EVANGELIZE THE WORLD. Consider
the law of multiplication.
1. (Illustration) Story
of man entering a huge hall in heaven filled with thousands. He
recognizes only two people he witnessed
to - all the rest are there
as a result.
b. Paul is saying -consider your
calling, consider the message you have heard, consider the good news of
the gospel -
DEPOSIT it in
others.
TRANSITION:
In
order to carry out the goal - to realize the objective - to succeed in
battle a
soldier must be under authority; the fourth characteristic of a soldier
of
Christ (vs 4 & 5)
IV.
A
soldier of Christ is under authority
a.
Whole
hearted devotion to obeying (pleasing) the commander-in-chief; focused,
committed,
single minded, unwavering,
steadfast.
b.
The crown is won when we fight in accordance with the rules -
not mine
but His.
CONCLUSION:
1.
The
Crown will go to those who are willing to
obey - to lay down their lives - to submit - to surrender their bodies
and the
members of their bodies to Jesus Christ.
2.
A
good soldier of Christ will KNOW that his strength
comes from an omnipotent
God, his endurance will be sustained by a loving and merciful God,
his objective is
approved by an omniscient (all knowing God),
and his
authority comes from a sovereign God who sits in the heavens
and does
what HE pleases.
